A college quarterback coming into the locker room with a dislocated shoulder wouldn't care whether the athletic trainer taking care of him is male or female - or would he? A study from North Carolina State University examining male football players' perceptions of female athletic trainers - and their comfort level in being treated by females - shows that the quarterback would most likely prefer a male, unless the dislocated shoulder made him depressed.

"Previous research had shown that male and female athletes overall feel more comfortable with treatment by same-gender athletic trainers for gender-specific injuries and conditions," says Dr. Heidi Grappendorf, assistant professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at NC State. "We wanted to specifically examine football players' comfort level by same and opposite sex athletic trainers for gender and non-gender-specific injuries - while seeing if gender stereotypes influenced opinions."